Smith and Wiggins will lead the Cardinal Smith and Wiggins will lead the Cardinal (November 25, 2005)

Despite their youth, they bring a wealth of experience and leadership to a young Stanford team this season

by Rick Eymer

Brooke Smith's visit to Turkey last summer was made more enjoyable when she was joined by her mother after the conclusion of the World University Games for a two-week stay in the country.

Helping the United States winning the gold medal was special, but spending time with her mother visiting the country made the summer even more special.

Smith's first year playing at Stanford was special but she hopes to make this season even more special as the 15th-ranked Cardinal (1-1 entering play on Wednesday night) prepare for a game at Texas Tech on Sunday.

If Stanford is to exceed last year's trip to the regional final, the 6-foot-3 redshirt junior will play an important role. She averaged 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds a game last year while shooting a torrid 61 percent from the field.

Smith and sophomore guard Candice Wiggins are the lone returning starters for Stanford, which won its fifth straight Pac-10 title last year and was picked to finish first again this year. Wiggins was named the Pac-10's Player of the Year and was joined by Smith as a first team all-conference selection.

"There's a lot of opportunity for people to step up," Smith said. "Candice and I will take on a little more leadership role but there are a lot of players who will step up."

Smith and Wiggins both played for U.S. national teams over the summer which won gold medals. Wiggins played for the Under-19 team in Tunisia, where she was named to the All-World Championship team.

Both players bring even more experience to the table as a result of their summer activities.

"I played with some of the best players in the country; in the world even," Smith said. "It was a huge challenge and I learned a lot. It also helped my confidence. I always want to play against great competition because it can only make me better."

And then there was the down time with her mother.

"With the team we were always on busses or practicing and everything was pretty organized," Smith said. "My mom and I traveled around for two weeks after basketball so I was able to get the whole experience. I loved Turkey. They are the nicest people and it was a great learning experience."

Smith had some advance knowledge of the country, as former Stanford teammate Sebnem Kimyacioglu plays for the Turkish national team every summer and was able to give Smith some handy travel tips.

Smith and Wiggins are crucial to Stanford's success in a much-improved conference. Five Pac-10 teams were invited to last year's NCAA tournament and all of them won at least once.

"Our competition this year is going to be excellent," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. "Every night is going to be a great game."

VanDerveer lost five seniors to graduation, and she wasn't sure who would be where as the season unfolded.

"Things are not set," she said. "I have no idea who will play or even do well."

So far, senior guard Krista Rappahahn, junior forward Kristen Newlin and freshman Jillian Harmon have assumed important roles. Newlin and Rappahahn played quality minutes last year, and the 6-5 Newlin should take some of the pressure from Smith.

"Kristen has to be a more offensive player," said VanDerveer. "It can't all be on Brooke's shoulders."

Rappahahn and Shelley Nweke are the only seniors this season, and Nweke has another year of eligibility. That means returning players like junior guard Markisha Coleman, an Eastside Prep grad, junior guard Claire Bodensteiner, and junior forward Eziamaka Okafor will have to make significant contributions.

Sophomore Cissy Pierce has filled an important role this season, and fellow sophomore Christy Titchenal should also see more playing time.

While Wiggins headed an outstanding freshman class last year, Harmon makes this year's crop one of the best in recent years. Freshmen Rosalyn Gold-Onwude and Morgan Clyburn have had their moments in the preseason and will be counted upon to add to Stanford's depth.

"If teams decide to double Brooke, then Morgan will light them up," VanDerveer said. "She's one of our best perimeter shooters and she's smart. Jillian is consistent and tough. She has great basketball sense. Roz is the backup at point right now but she could work her way into more playing time."

According to VanDerveer, Stanford is more athletic and can play more aggressively this season. The team is a little faster and the tempo may be a little faster paced as a result.

Wiggins, wherever she plays, will be right in the middle of things. The preseason All-American candidate will likely draw a lot of attention.

"The best thing about her is she's such a humble person," VanDerveer said. "She's also a hungry player who wants to improve. She inspires other people around her. When you look out there she wills winning and she wills winning in her teammates. But it's not what one person can do, it's the collective energy."

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